Berlin, Germany
Sea freight in Berlin
We book FCL and LCL sea freight for shippers and consignees in Berlin, via Sea freight via Hamburg. Pre-carriage, on-carriage by road or rail and the customs entries are planned together with the ocean booking.
Airports, seaports and connections in Berlin
- AirportBerlin Brandenburg
BER - AirportLeipzig/Halle
LEJroad feeder - SeaportSea freight via Hamburg
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) serves the capital region and handles air cargo mainly in the bellies of passenger aircraft, with a limited long-haul network. Many Berlin shipments therefore connect via Leipzig/Halle (LEJ), reached by road via the A9, or Frankfurt (FRA), both of which offer far more freighter capacity. Berlin has no seaport of its own; containers are handled via Hamburg and reach the city by rail or by barge on the Elbe and Havel waterways, with the Westhafen as the city's main inland port.
The A10 Berliner Ring encircles the city and links to the A9 (Leipzig, Munich), A24 (Hamburg), A2 (Hanover, Ruhr), A12 (Frankfurt/Oder and Poland) and A11 (Szczecin). Freight villages such as Großbeeren and Wustermark on the ring concentrate distribution centres, and the Westhafen combines inland port, rail terminal and warehousing inside the city.
Operational logistics facts for Berlin
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) | Belly cargo, smaller time-sensitive consignments | Departures directly from the capital region |
| Leipzig/Halle (LEJ) road feeder | Freighter capacity for larger air freight | More routing options than BER alone |
| Westhafen Berlin | Inland port and rail terminal for containers via Hamburg | Sea freight delivered into the city without a long truck leg |
| Freight villages Großbeeren and Wustermark | Distribution and e-commerce fulfilment | Pick-up points concentrated on the Berliner Ring |
Industries in Berlin and how we support them
Berlin's economy is driven by technology companies, start-ups, e-commerce and life sciences, including pharmaceutical and biotech firms and research institutes. Shipments are often smaller but time-sensitive: hardware samples, laboratory material, electronics and consumer goods for online retail. Ziem Logistics supports Berlin shippers with air freight under our own air waybills via BER, Leipzig/Halle or Frankfurt, Next Flight Out and On-Board Courier for urgent items, sea freight via Hamburg for larger volumes, and import clearance by our own customs team, including help for growing companies with their first EORI-based imports.
FCL and LCL via Sea freight via Hamburg
Full containers are booked directly with the shipping line; for smaller volumes we use LCL consolidation services. Pre-carriage from Berlin to Sea freight via Hamburg, or on-carriage after arrival, is arranged by road or rail as part of the same booking.
Customs clearance in Germany
In-house customs team
Customs clearance in Germany is handled by our own in-house customs team.
For air freight to and from Germany we issue our own air waybills.
Importers in Germany need an EORI number issued by German Customs.
Frequently asked questions
Which port is used for sea freight to and from Berlin?
Usually Sea freight via Hamburg. Depending on the shipping line and the destination, another port can be faster or more economical; we compare the options when quoting.